Azealia Banks teams with RZA for feature film

AZEALIA BANKS. Photo Credit: Getty Images

The outspoken rapper-singer-songwriter Azealia Banks confirmed today that she will star in a feature film directed by another New York-born hip-hop artist, RZA.

The film is called "Coco," according to a release from Banks' publicity firm, Prospect Park, although according to The Hollywood Reporter the title is "It Doesn't Have to Rhyme." At any rate, the film seems to cast Banks as a version of herself. She is said to play "a fiery 20-something female rapper" in Brooklyn who is trying to balance a career in the music industry with her parents' desire for her to finish college.

"I'm extremely excited and vigorously inspired to be working with Azealia Banks in my new directorial installment," RZA said in the release. "Our story, which is set in today's contemporary youth culture, will bring a new voice to cinema that needs to be heard."

Banks, who released her debut album, "Broke With Expensive Taste," last year to critical acclaim, has drawn some attention for openly identifying as bisexual. Whether "Coco" will draw on that aspect of Banks' life is unclear though the official plot synopsis does mention an "unlikely love in the classroom."

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Jill Scott and Common have also been cast in acting roles in the film. "Coco," or whatever the final title is, is being produced in conjuction with Lionsgate and Codeblack Films.